About R.B.I.

Since 1989, the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program has touched the lives of thousands of inner city kids by providing them with safe, organized athletic and year-round life skills training and mentoring programs. By giving children in under-served areas the opportunity to play baseball and softball, RBI works to ensure that every boy and girl who participates will have a positive, productive future and develops a life-long relationship with the game.

As part of its effort to support programs aimed at assisting communities and creating a more positive environment through baseball, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL took over administration of RBI in 1991. Initially in conjunction with the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA), and now in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL has provided start-up grants for RBI programs in over 175 cities in the U.S. and abroad, and sponsors an RBI World Series each year. The program is divided into the following divisions: freshman baseball (13.-14), junior baseball (15-16), senior baseball (17-18), girls softball (14 & under) and (18 & under).

RBI was founded in South Central Los Angeles in 1989 by former Major Leaguer John Young. Young grew up in Los Angeles at a time when the area developed many baseball players. He noted a significant decrease over the years in the number of baseball players coming from Los Angeles and other inner city areas.

In developing RBI, Young set to overcome obstacles- such as crime and a lack of funding for fields and equipment- that prevented kids in the inner cities from learning and excelling at the game of baseball. More importantly, Young also wanted to use participation in baseball as a means to overcome the academic and social disadvantages faced by most inner city kids.

The result was a program that not only taught solid, fundamental baseball, but promoted academic achievement and social responsibility.

Gene Autry RBI League

The Gene Autry RBI League is a youth baseball and softball program offered to Orange County Boys & Girls Club members 12-18 years of age. The League gives kids the opportunity to play in an organized league, in addition to learning life skills in a nationally acclaimed prevention program.

It is a partnership between the Angels Baseball, Angels Care, Major League Baseball, and the Boys & Girls Clubs in Orange County.

Program Components
Participants play a 10 game regular season with clinics, followed by League play-offs and championship games.

On the field, RBI concentrates on fundamentals and teamwork, while stressing citizenship and academics.

Off the field, Boys & Girls Clubs staff members teach RBI players QuickSMART (Skills Mastery And Resistance Training). This nationally acclaimed Boys & Girls Clubs of America prevention program, designed specifically for RBI, assists youth in learning how to make smart choices regarding alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use.

Cost
There is NO FEE to participate in the Gene Autry RBI League. The League is funded through Major League Baseball, the McCormick Tribune Foundation, Angels Care, foundations, and individual donations.

What is provided?
All Gene Autry RBI League players receive a full game uniform for use during participation in the League. Players caps, visors and socks are theirs to keep.

Bats, balls, helmets, extra fielding gloves, bases and catcher’s equipment are also provided.

Certified umpires are provided for all games, as well as full-time Boys & Girls Clubs staff to oversee the operation of the game.

Divisions
The Gene Autry RBI League currently operates four divisions:

• Baseball- Senior Boys (16-18)
• Softball- Senior Girls (15-18)
• Junior Boys (13-15)
• Junior Girls (12-14)

2004 League
216 players from 9 Boys & Girls Clubs in Orange County, on 16 teams, are currently participating in the 2004 Gene Autry RBI League.

Clinics
Each season several clinics are hosted by the Angels Baseball at Anaheim Stadium. A clinic is offered for boys baseball, girls softball, and coaching staff.

Clinics offer training in pitching, infield and outfield techniques, hitting, motivation and QuickSMART training. Angels Baseball players and coaches working directly with the youth and coaches. The youth also interact with a host of other volunteers including members of Sports Educators of America, high school coaches, and college players and coaches.

Ladies from “A League of Their Own”, the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, are our special guests and talk with players and coaches.

RBI All Stars and World Series
Following the Gene Autry RBI League program, Major League Baseball offers RBI Regional Tournament play. An all-star team is selected from each of the three divisions hosted by Major League Baseball (Junior Girls are exempt) to represent the Gene Autry RBI League for the post-season tournament.

If a team in our local league advances from the Pacific Regional Tournament, that team and coaching staff will earn an all-expense paid trip to Major League Baseball’s RBI World Series.

2001 marked the first season for the Gene Autry RBI League to be represented at the RBI World Series in Florida. Our Junior Boys All-Stars defeated Denver, Colorado in the Pacific Regional Championship held in Seattle, Washington by a score of 9-0.

The boys placed third in the world amongst the 10 teams present at the World Series. For most of these boys, this RBI experience was their first time traveling outside the state. With the help of area supporters and foundations, such as The Baseball Tomorrow Fund, these youth will never forget such an experience and look forward to more in the future.